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Glite Dictionary
semi-prostrate

semi-prostrate

8.7
A plant or part of a plant that lies partly on the ground but not completely flat
  • adjective
  • /ˌsɛmiˈprɒstreɪt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : semiprostrado
  • The semi-prostrate branches of the shrub made it ideal for ground cover.

Examples

  • The semi-prostrate plant sprawled across the garden.

  • This species is characterized by its semi-prostrate growth habit and evergreen foliage.

  • He selected a semi-prostrate variety of juniper for the rock garden.

  • Some semi-prostrate species thrive in sandy soil.

  • He selected a semi-prostrate variety of juniper for the rock garden.

  • The semi-prostrate branches of the shrub made it ideal for ground cover.

  • This species is characterized by its semi-prostrate growth habit and evergreen foliage.

Synonyms

procumbent
vssemi-prostrate
  • Specialized
9.9

A plant whose stems lie along the ground and do not take root at points

is less fully along the ground and contacts it only for part

Antonyms

upright
44 2.7

Standing straight up and not leaning

prostrate
5 7.0

Lying flat on the ground, face down, often from tiredness or respect

How Upright

erect
17 4.0
semi-erect
  • Specialized
7.4
semi-prostrate
  • Specialized
8.7
prostrate
5 7.0

Surface Forms

semi-prostrate positive

Morphology

semi-prostrate = prostrate (transparent) = semi + prostrate

The meaning is directly compositional: 'semi-' means partly and 'prostrate' means lying flat, so the plant is only partly flat on the ground.

Etymology

Semi-prostrate comes from semi- meaning 'half' or 'partly', as in semi-final, and prostrate meaning 'laid flat', so it describes a plant that lies flat on the ground for part of its length but is not completely flat.